Stay in the loop

Toronto Spa Week is back again - get ready to relax harder than you've ever relaxed in your life. The event's spring 2014 edition will soon be upon us, bringing discounts deeper than a Swedish tissue massage.

From April 21 to 27, spas and salons across Canada will offer a selection of treatments, from massages to pedicures to laser facials, for a flat rate of $50 - meaning discounts of up to $250 for some procedures. The biannual event has been steadily gaining steam, with 50 or so GTA spas and salons signing up to participate for this spring's edition.

To get in on the action, head to the Spa Week site to buy a $50 treatment voucher, then contact the spa of your choice to set up a treatment. It's worth noting that some of the procedures seem altered or shortened for the special event - you may not get exactly what you would at full price, but in most cases, you're still getting a solid deal. Many of these treatments may already be sold out, so call your spa of choice to see what timeslots and treatments are still available.

I've put together my ideal wish list of treatments around the GTA - maybe this will finally be the month I graduate from $1.99 Shoppers Drug Mart face masks.

Here are the top treatment deals at the spring 2014 Spa Week in Toronto.

Aromatic facial at Holts Salon and SpaIf you're really hoping to snag the full one-percenter experience, book yourself in at Holt Renfrew's spa. (Sidenote: If there was a spa treatment called the One-Percenter Experience, I would absolutely try it.) The spa, located at the Bloor St. store, is offering a discount on their relaxing 50-minute aromatic well-being facial for the occasion; an express mani-pedi combo, which includes cuticle work and a polish change, is also available.

Deluxe pedicure at Moksa Day SpaAt Moksa, your $50 will get you a 60-minute pedicure, which includes a chocolate paraffin treatment and a foot massage. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. (Moksa's also offering the longest list of Spa Week treatments in Toronto, with five different procedures up for grabs.)

Customized Eminence organic facial at Novo SpaYorkville's Novo Spa offers a slate of Eminence skincare products, made from organic ingredients handpicked in Hungary, and they'll use them to customize a 50-minute facial to your skin's exact needs. Your other option: a relaxing 50-minute aromatherapy massage.

'Taste of luxury' package at Purebeauty Salon and SpaIn case you don't recognize the name, Purebeauty is located inside the Trump Hotel on Bay St. Many of the city's highest-of-the-high-end spas are opting out of Spa Week this time around, but the former Quartz Crystal Spa is hoping to get the word out about their new name and identity. They're offering a couple one-off treatments, like this package (which includes 30-minute massage and a booster facial) - but don't get your hopes too high, because the Spa Week waiting list is currently 40 names long.

Rock bathing sessions at Iyashi Bedrock SpaHere's your chance to try out a Japanese rock bathing: At Iyashi, your $50 gets you two 60-minute sessions of relaxation time atop slabs of heated black rock imported from Japan. You could also put it toward two pilates or hot yoga classes, if that's more your thing. (Bonus: No cell phones allowed.)

Deep cleansing facial at Organic Beauty BarLocated in First Canadian Place, this tiny little spa is a favourite retreat for those looking to squeeze in some "me" time between home and the office. They're offering three hourlong facials: The deep-cleaning version includes lemon, spinach, rose petal and rosehip extracts, to get your pores their squeaky-cleanest.

Waxing package at the Beauty RoomThe Beauty Room, located inside L Studio Salon & Spa in Liberty Village, is offering a brow shaping, an underarm wax, and a Brazilian, all in one $50 package. Now that's efficiency! They're also offering a 70-minute pedicure and a 60-minute facial.

Laser genesis facial at Surani ClinicThis one makes it onto the list for sheer extravagance - try this high-tech treatment, in which a laser is used to induce collagen production, during Spa Week, and you'll save a whopping $250. The clinic says you'll start to see skin even out and pores fill in ... after a few treatments. The package also includes a digital analysis of your skin.

Dermalogica core skin treatment at Energi MedispaMississaugans in need of some hardcore skin SOS can head to this spa for a boost from the Dermalogica skin care system, a fave of celebrities and beauty buffs. The 60-minute treatment is customized to your skin, and includes everything from exfoliation and massages to a mask and ultrasonic treatment.

24k gold and diamond facial at Spa AquaOut at Burnhamthorpe and Duke of York in Mississauga, Spa Aqua wins the stunt-ingredient prize for a facial that features diamond, pearl and gold extracts. We don't know if the procedure really helps with "nourishment, radiance, firmness, (and) vibrancy" - but heck, at $50, it's worth a shot.